Boating

Maine has many beautiful lakes, ponds, and rivers to explore by boat. Please remember to check your boat before you put it into the water, to ensure that you aren't bringing any invasive milfoil into the water body. Once milfoil is introduced to a lake or pond, it is nearly impossible to remove. Learn about Maine boating registration and issues related to invasive plants. Please also remember to keep a safe distance from wildlife that may be nesting or living in or along the water, too.

The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) acquired a 278-acre property around Kimball Pond in Vienna. The property includes Kimball Pond’s headwaters (including areas prone to erosion), a tributary stream, and wetlands area. Kimball Pond is home to a popular fishing spot for brook trout. The Kimball Pond area is also home to sustainably harvested forestland. Read More

Location: Just east of Rangeley, Franklin County Description: The Bald Mountain Public Reserved Land is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts during all four seasons. Hike the trail to the summit of Bald Mountain, particularly beautiful during the fall months, and enjoy the views of the surrounding lakes. In the summer, fishermen take to the unit’s Read More

Location: In and around Township 7, Range 12 WELS, 30 miles northwest of Baxter State Park, Piscataquis County Description: Chamberlain Lake Public Reserved Land is a group of parcels along the large lakes that form the southern end of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The parcels include the 2,890-acre Chamberlain Lake Ecological Reserve. Ecological Reserves Read More

Location: In and around Township 10 SD, 12 miles east of Ellsworth, Hancock County Description: The Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land unit includes mountains, pristine lakes, and remote ponds all spread out over 14,000 acres in eastern Maine. There are sites for camping along the pond’s beaches, and great options for those who enjoy paddling. Read More

Location: Just south of Lakeville, northern Hancock County Description: The Duck Lake unit is comprised of more than 27,000 acres, just to the east of Grand Lake Stream. The unit contains Duck Lake and Gassahias Lake, which offer fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and snowmobiling opportunities. An Ecological Reserve has been established on the eastern portion Read More

Location: Chesuncook Township, Piscataquis County Description: The Gero Island Public Reserved Land unit is comprised of the majority of Gero Island in Chesuncook Lake, as well as most of the historic Chesuncook Village on the mainland, southwest of the island. Chesuncook Village was settled in 1849 by Ansel A. Smith as a logging outfit. The Read More

Location: North of Greenville, Piscataquis County Description: Moosehead is Maine and New England’s largest lake. Moosehead was formed by a mile-thick receding glacier almost 18,000 years ago. Wabanaki Native Americans have lived in the region for the past 1,000 years and place great spiritual significance in Mount Kineo, on one of the lake’s islands. Named Read More

Location: West of Millinocket, Penobscot County Description: The Nahmakanta unit is 43,000 acres and includes forest, mountains, and 24 great ponds. Fishing is popular on the great ponds. Pollywog Gorge is a popular destination for visitors to the land, with a mile-high drop down to the scenic gorge. Nine miles of the Appalachian Trail cross Read More

Location: Northern Oxford County Description: The Richardson Public Reserved Land unit’s 22,000 acres of lakes and ponds are surrounded by mountains, forests, and beach flats. The unit is located in the Rangeley Lakes region and includes much of the shoreline of Mooselookmeguntic and Richardson lakes. Mooselookmeguntic and Richardson lakes are also a part of the Read More